Beverage container closure

Abstract

A beverage container closure or lid that is adapted for closing an open end of a beverage container. The lid is selectively couplable to the beverage container and includes a selectively openable stopper that when closed, creates a fluid-tight seal between the beverage container and the environment. The stopper may be selectively opened by a user by the user pressing a button disposed on a side of the beverage container closure. The stopper is subsequently automatically closed when the user releases the button. Thus, a user may open and close the beverage container closure using a single hand without the need to remove the beverage container closure from the beverage container.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A lid for use with a beverage container, comprising:
 a lid housing configured for removable attachment to the beverage container, the lid housing having a main body with an upper portion and a sidewall portion extending downward from the upper portion, the upper portion being stationary relative to the sidewall portion, the upper portion and the sidewall portion defining a downwardly open interior lid cavity extending downward from the upper portion and having an open lower end, the upper portion including a drink opening; 
 a drink seal support member connected to the lid housing and having a drink seal positioned at least partially within the lid cavity and below the upper portion, the drink seal being movable between a closed position closing the drink opening and an opened position opening the drink opening, when in the closed position the drink seal is in sealing engagement with the upper portion to close the drink opening, and when in the opened position the drink seal is out of sealing engagement with the upper portion to open the drink opening; 
 a trigger connected to the lid housing and operable to move the drink seal support member to move the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position, movement of the trigger in an actuation direction resulting in the drink seal support member moving the drink seal downward away the upper portion to position the drink seal in the opened position; and 
 a retainer member releasably retaining the drink seal support member in a use position for movement of the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position in response to movement of the trigger in the actuation direction, the retainer member being operable to release the drink seal support member to permit movement of the drink seal support member to a cleaning position whereat the drink seal is moved away from an underside surface portion of the upper portion through which the drink opening extends such that the drink opening is open for cleaning the lid. 
 
     
     
       2. The lid of  claim 1 , further including an air vent separate from the drink opening and a vent seal, the trigger being operable to move the vent seal from a closed position closing the vent to an opened position opening the vent. 
     
     
       3. The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation direction of the trigger is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the lid housing when the trigger is operated to move the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position. 
     
     
       4. The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the drink seal has non-rotational movement when moving between the closed position and the opened position. 
     
     
       5. The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the drink seal moves between the closed position and the opened position along a linear path of travel. 
     
     
       6. The lid of  claim 5 , where the linear path of travel is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the lid housing. 
     
     
       7. The lid of  claim 1 , wherein when the drink seal support member is in the cleaning position, movement of the trigger in the actuation direction does not produce movement of the drink seal between the closed position and the opened position. 
     
     
       8. The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer member is operable to release the drink seal support member from the lid housing to permit selective physical disconnection of the drink seal support member from the lid housing for cleaning of the lid with the lid housing and drink seal separated from each other. 
     
     
       9. The lid of  claim 1 , wherein when the drink seal support member is in the cleaning position, the trigger is operably disengaged from the drink seal support member and thereby prevents movement of the trigger in the actuation direction from moving the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position. 
     
     
       10. A lid for use with a beverage container, comprising:
 a lid housing configured for removable attachment to the beverage container, the lid housing having a main body with an upper portion and a sidewall portion extending downward from the upper portion, the upper portion being stationary relative to the sidewall portion, the upper portion and the sidewall portion defining a downwardly open interior lid cavity extending downward from the upper portion and having an open lower end, the upper portion including a drink opening; 
 a drink seal positioned at least partially within the lid cavity and below the upper portion, the drink seal being movable between a closed first position closing the drink opening and an opened second position fully opening the drink opening for drinking through the drink opening, when in the closed first position the drink seal is in sealing engagement with the upper portion to close the drink opening, and when in the opened second position the drink seal is out of sealing engagement with the upper portion to open the drink opening; 
 a trigger connected to the lid housing and operable to move the drink seal from the closed first position to the opened second position, movement of the trigger in an actuation direction resulting in movement of the drink seal downward away from the upper portion to position the drink seal in the opened second position; and 
 a retainer member releasably retaining the drink seal in a use position for movement of the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position in response to movement of the trigger in the actuation direction, the retainer member being operable to release the drink seal to permit movement of the drink seal to a cleaning third position whereat the drink seal is moved farther away from an underside surface portion of the upper portion through which the drink opening extends than when the drink seal is in the opened second position such that the drink opening is open for cleaning the lid. 
 
     
     
       11. The lid of  claim 10 , further including an air vent separate from the drink opening and a vent seal, the trigger being operable to move the vent seal from a closed position closing the vent to an opened position opening the vent. 
     
     
       12. The lid of  claim 10 , wherein the actuation direction of the trigger is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the lid housing when the trigger is operated to move the drink seal from the closed first position to the opened second position. 
     
     
       13. The lid of  claim 10 , wherein the drink seal has non-rotational movement when moving between the closed first position and the opened second position. 
     
     
       14. The lid of  claim 10 , wherein the drink seal moves between the closed first position and the opened second position along a linear path of travel. 
     
     
       15. The lid of  claim 14 , where the linear path of travel is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the lid housing. 
     
     
       16. The lid of  claim 10 , wherein when the drink seal is in the cleaning third position, movement of the trigger does not produce movement of the drink seal between the closed first position and the opened second position. 
     
     
       17. The lid of  claim 10 , wherein the retainer member is operable to permit selective physical disconnection of the drink seal from the lid housing for cleaning of the lid with the lid housing and drink seal separated from each other. 
     
     
       18. The lid of  claim 10 , wherein when the drink seal is in the cleaning third position, the trigger is operably disengaged from the drink seal and thereby prevents movement of the trigger in the actuation direction from moving the drink seal from the closed first position to the opened second position. 
     
     
       19. A beverage container, comprising:
 a container body having an open upper end portion; and 
 a lid having:
 a lid housing removably attachable to the open upper end portion of the container body, the lid housing having a main body with an upper portion and a sidewall portion extending downward from the upper portion, the upper portion being stationary relative to the sidewall portion, the upper portion and the sidewall portion defining a downwardly open interior lid cavity extending downward from the upper portion and having an open lower end, the upper portion including a drink opening; 
 a drink seal support member connected to the lid housing and having a drink seal positioned at least partially within the lid cavity and below the upper portion, the drink seal being movable between a closed position in sealing engagement with the upper portion to close the drink opening and an opened position out of sealing engagement with the upper portion to open the drink opening, in the opened position the drink seal is at a first drink seal open location away from an underside surface portion of the upper portion through which the drink opening extends; 
 a trigger connected to the lid housing and operable to move the drink seal support member to move the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position, movement of the trigger in an actuation direction resulting in the drink seal support member moving the drink seal downward away the upper portion to position the drink seal in the opened position; and 
 a retainer member releasably retaining the drink seal support member in a use position for movement of the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position in response to movement of the trigger in the actuation direction, the retainer member being operable to release the drink seal support member to permit movement of the drink seal support member to a cleaning position whereat the drink seal is moved to a second drink seal open location farther away from the underside surface portion of the upper portion through which the drink opening extends than when in the first drink seal open location such that the drink opening is open for cleaning the lid. 
 
 
     
     
       20. The beverage container of  claim 19 , further including an air vent separate from the drink opening and a vent seal, the trigger being operable to move the vent seal from a closed position closing the vent to an opened position opening the vent. 
     
     
       21. The beverage container of  claim 19 , wherein the actuation direction of the trigger is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the lid housing when the trigger is operated to move the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position. 
     
     
       22. The beverage container of  claim 19 , wherein the drink seal has non-rotational movement when moving between the closed position and the opened position. 
     
     
       23. The beverage container of  claim 19 , wherein the drink seal moves between the closed position and the opened position along a linear path of travel. 
     
     
       24. The beverage container of  claim 23 , where the linear path of travel is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the lid housing. 
     
     
       25. The beverage container of  claim 19 , wherein when the drink seal support member is in the cleaning position, movement of the trigger does not produce movement of the drink seal between the closed position and the opened position. 
     
     
       26. The beverage container of  claim 19 , wherein the retainer member is operable to release the drink seal support member from the lid housing to permit selective physical disconnection of the drink seal support member from the lid housing for cleaning of the lid with the lid housing and drink seal separated from each other. 
     
     
       27. The lid of  claim 19 , wherein when the drink seal support member is in the cleaning position, the trigger is disengaged from the drink seal and thereby prevents movement of the trigger in the actuation direction from moving the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position. 
     
     
       28. A beverage container, comprising:
 a container body having an open upper end portion; and 
 a lid having:
 a lid housing removably attachable to the open upper end portion of the container body, the lid housing having a main body with an upper portion and a sidewall portion extending downward from the upper portion, the upper portion being stationary relative to the sidewall portion, the upper portion and the sidewall portion defining a downwardly open interior lid cavity extending downward from the upper portion and having an open lower end, the upper portion including a drink opening; 
 a drink seal positioned at least partially within the lid cavity and below the upper portion, the drink seal being movable between a closed first position closing the drink opening and an opened second position fully opening the drink opening for drinking through the drink opening, when in the closed first position the drink seal is in sealing engagement with the upper portion to close the drink opening, and when in the opened second position the drink seal is out of sealing engagement with the upper portion to open the drink opening; 
 a trigger connected to the lid housing and operable to move the drink seal from the closed first position to the opened second position, movement of the trigger in an actuation direction resulting in movement of the drink seal downward away from the upper portion to position the drink seal in the opened second position; and 
 a retainer member releasably retaining the drink seal in a use position for movement of the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position in response to movement of the trigger in the actuation direction, the retainer member being operable to release the drink seal to permit movement of the drink seal to a cleaning third position whereat the drink seal is moved farther away from an underside surface portion of the upper portion through which the drink opening extends than when the drink seal is in the opened second position such that the drink opening is open for cleaning the lid. 
 
 
     
     
       29. The beverage container of  claim 28 , further including an air vent separate from the drink opening and a vent seal, the trigger being operable to move the vent seal from a closed position closing the vent to an opened position opening the vent. 
     
     
       30. The beverage container of  claim 28 , wherein the actuation direction of the trigger is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the lid housing when the trigger is operated to move the drink seal from the closed first position to the opened second position. 
     
     
       31. The beverage container of  claim 28 , wherein the drink seal has non-rotational movement when moving between the closed first position and the opened second position. 
     
     
       32. The beverage container of  claim 28 , wherein the drink seal moves between the closed first position and the opened second position along a linear path of travel. 
     
     
       33. The beverage container of  claim 32 , where the linear path of travel is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the lid housing. 
     
     
       34. The beverage container of  claim 28 , wherein when the drink seal is in the cleaning third position, movement of the trigger does not produce movement of the drink seal between the closed first position and the opened second position. 
     
     
       35. The beverage container of  claim 28 , wherein the retainer member is operable to permit selective physical disconnection of the drink seal from the lid housing for cleaning of the lid with the lid housing and drink seal separated from each other. 
     
     
       36. The beverage container of  claim 28 , wherein when the drink seal is in the cleaning third position, the trigger is operably disengaged from the drink seal and thereby prevents movement of the trigger in the actuation direction from moving the drink seal from the closed first position to the opened second position. 
     
     
       37. A lid for use with a beverage container, comprising:
 a lid housing configured for removable attachment to the beverage container, the lid housing having a main body with an upper portion and a sidewall portion extending downward from the upper portion, the upper portion being stationary relative to the sidewall portion, the upper portion and the sidewall portion defining a downwardly open interior lid cavity extending downward from the upper portion and having an open lower end, the upper portion including a drink opening; 
 a drink seal positioned at least partially within the lid cavity and below the upper portion, the drink seal being movable between a closed first position closing the drink opening and an opened second position opening the drink opening for drinking through the drink opening, wherein when in the closed first position the drink seal is in sealing engagement with the upper portion to close the drink opening, and when in the opened second position the drink seal is out of sealing engagement with the upper portion to open the drink opening; 
 a trigger connected to the lid housing and operable to move the drink seal from the closed first position to the opened second position, with the trigger being in a first trigger position when the drink seal is in the closed first position and in a second trigger position when the drink seal is in the opened second position, movement of the trigger in an actuation direction being limited to movement of the trigger to the second trigger position, and movement of the trigger in the actuation direction to the second trigger position resulting in movement of the drink seal to the opened second position; and 
 a retainer member retaining the drink seal in a use position for movement of the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position in response to movement of the trigger in the actuation direction from the first trigger position to the second trigger position, and without requiring movement of the trigger in the actuation direction, the retainer member is operable to permit movement of the drink seal to a cleaning third position whereat the drink opening is more open than when the drink seal is in the opened second position to permit greater access to the drink opening for cleaning the lid than when the drink seal is in the opened second position. 
 
     
     
       38. The lid of  claim 37 , wherein the retainer member is operable to permit selective physical disconnection of the drink seal from the lid housing for cleaning of the lid with the lid housing and drink seal separated from each other. 
     
     
       39. The lid of  claim 37 , wherein when the drink seal is in the cleaning third position, the trigger is operably disengaged from the drink seal and thereby prevents movement of the trigger in the actuation direction from moving the drink seal from the closed first position to the opened second position. 
     
     
       40. A lid for use with a beverage container, comprising:
 a lid housing configured for removable attachment to the beverage container, the lid housing having a main body with an upper portion and a sidewall portion extending downward from the upper portion, the upper portion being stationary relative to the sidewall portion, the upper portion and the sidewall portion defining a downwardly open interior lid cavity extending downward from the upper portion and having an open lower end, the upper portion including a drink opening; 
 a drink seal support member connected to the lid housing and having a drink seal positioned at least partially within the lid cavity and below the upper portion, the drink seal being movable between a closed position closing the drink opening and an opened position opening the drink opening, wherein when in the closed position the drink seal is in sealing engagement with the upper portion to close the drink opening, and when in the opened position the drink seal is out of sealing engagement with the upper portion to open the drink opening; 
 a trigger connected to the lid housing and operable to move the drink seal support member to move the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position, movement of the trigger in an actuation direction resulting in the drink seal support member moving the drink seal downward away the upper portion to position the drink seal in the opened position; and 
 a retainer member releasably retaining the drink seal support member in a use position for movement of the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position in response to movement of the trigger in the actuation direction, the retainer member being operable to permit selective physical disconnection of the drink seal support member from the lid housing for cleaning of the lid with the lid housing and drink seal support member separated from each other. 
 
     
     
       41. The lid of  claim 40 , wherein the retainer member is threadably attached to the lid housing. 
     
     
       42. A lid for use with a beverage container, comprising:
 a lid housing configured for removable attachment to the beverage container, the lid housing having a main body with an upper portion and a sidewall portion extending downward from the upper portion, the upper portion being stationary relative to the sidewall portion, the upper portion and the sidewall portion defining a downwardly open interior lid cavity extending downward from the upper portion and having an open lower end, the upper portion including a drink opening; 
 a drink seal support member connected to the lid housing and having a drink seal positioned at least partially within the lid cavity and below the upper portion, the drink seal being movable between a closed position in sealing engagement with the upper portion to close the drink opening and an opened position out of sealing engagement with the upper portion to open the drink opening, in the opened position the drink seal is at a first drink seal open location away from an underside surface portion of the upper portion through which the drink opening extends; 
 a trigger connected to the lid housing and operable to move the drink seal support member to move the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position, movement of the trigger in an actuation direction resulting in the drink seal support member moving the drink seal downward away the upper portion to position the drink seal in the opened position; and 
 a retainer member releasably retaining the drink seal support member in a use position for movement of the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position in response to movement of the trigger in the actuation direction, the retainer member being operable to release the drink seal support member to permit movement of the drink seal support member to a cleaning position whereat the drink seal is moved to a second drink seal open location farther away from the underside surface portion of the upper portion through which the drink opening extends than when in the first drink seal open location such that the drink opening is open for cleaning the lid. 
 
     
     
       43. The lid of  claim 42 , wherein when the drink seal support member is in the cleaning position, movement of the trigger does not produce movement of the drink seal between the closed position and the opened position. 
     
     
       44. The lid of  claim 42 , wherein the retainer member is operable to release the drink seal support member from the lid housing to permit physical disconnection of the drink seal support member from the lid housing for cleaning of the lid with the lid housing and drink seal separated from each other. 
     
     
       45. The lid of  claim 42 , wherein when the drink seal support member is in the cleaning position, the trigger is operably disengaged from the drink seal support member and thereby prevents movement of the trigger in the actuation direction from moving the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position. 
     
     
       46. A lid for use with a beverage container, comprising:
 a lid housing configured for removable attachment to the beverage container, the lid housing having a main body with an upper portion and a sidewall portion extending downward from the upper portion, the upper portion being stationary relative to the sidewall portion, the upper portion and the sidewall portion defining a downwardly open interior lid cavity extending downward from the upper portion and having an open lower end, the upper portion including a drink opening; 
 a drink seal support member connected to the lid housing and having a drink seal positioned at least partially within the lid cavity and below the upper portion, the drink seal being movable between a closed position closing the drink opening and an opened position opening the drink opening for drinking from the lid, wherein when in the closed position the drink seal is in sealing engagement with the upper portion to close the drink opening, and when in the opened position the drink seal is out of sealing engagement with the upper portion to open the drink opening; 
 a trigger connected to the lid housing and operable to move the drink seal support member to move the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position, movement of the trigger in an actuation direction resulting in the drink seal support member moving the drink seal downward away the upper portion to position the drink seal in the opened position; and 
 a retainer member releasably retaining the drink seal support member in a use position in operational connection with the trigger for movement of the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position for drinking in response to movement of the trigger in the actuation direction, the retainer member being operable to release the drink seal support member from operational connection with the trigger to permit movement of the drink seal support member to a cleaning position without requiring movement of the trigger in the actuation direction and when in the cleaning position the drink seal is moved farther away from an underside surface portion of the upper portion through which the drink opening extends than when in the opened position for drinking. 
 
     
     
       47. The lid of  claim 46 , wherein when the drink seal support member is in the cleaning position, the trigger is physically disengaged from the drink seal support member and thereby prevents movement of the trigger in the actuation direction from moving the drink seal from the closed position to the opened position.